Man gets probation for forgery charges

A former Somerset man was among those sentenced in the Somerset County Court of Common Pleas.

Adam J. Renfrew, 23, of Knox, formerly of Somerset, was placed on five years of supervised probation and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service for forgery and three counts of conspiracy.

The charges stem from four incidents.

Police said Renfrew served as the driver for men who burglarized a Black Township man's home twice last September, stealing a rifle, coins, checks, bank statements and deposit receipts.

Police said he drove the men to a Somerset Township swap shop, where they sold the rifle for $100. The group was caught trying to cash one of the stolen checks in the drive-thru at the former Peoples Bank in Somerset Township.

A judge ordered him to have no contact with the victim or property. He also was ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation within 60 days.

Steven S. Walker, 20, of Somerset was placed on 12 months of supervised probation and ordered to perform 30 hours of community service for making false reports to law enforcement authorities.

Police said Walker completed a written statement indicating his car was stolen, then later admitted it was not. In fact, the car was involved in an accident, according to court documents.

A judge ordered Walker to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and seek any recommended treatment. He must pay court costs, a supervisory fee and a $200 fine.

Joseph R. Crum, 22, of Somerset received a sentence of nine to 23 months in the Somerset County Jail followed by two years of supervised probation for two counts of conspiracy, two counts of forgery, identity theft and access device fraud.

The charges stem from three incidents.

On April 27, 2002, Crum and another man conspired to steal a $339 camcorder and sell it for $100.

On July 6, 2002, Crum forged stolen checks, deposited the money in the victim's daughter's bank account and withdrew the money, according to a criminal complaint. The incident involved $500.

On Sept. 14, Crum conspired with others to steal money from the Somerset Trust Company through a false deposits scheme, police said.

A judge ordered Crum to undergo drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations. He may have no contact with the victims.

Crum must pay court costs, a supervisory fee, and $670 restitution.

Kenneth L. Rose, 21, of Somerset received a sentence of 30 days to 23 months in the Somerset County Jail for theft.

Rose will be paroled once he completes his minimum sentence, according to court records.

Police said Rose stole a woman's purse from Somerset Hospital on Nov. 17. The purse's contents were worth $600.

A judge ordered Rose to have no contact with the victim. He also was ordered to perform 40 hours of community service.

He must undergo mental health and drug and alcohol evaluations within 30 days of his parole.

Rose must pay court costs, a supervisory fee, $300.95 restitution and a $100 fine. He also must make every effort to obtain a GED, according to the sentence.

Dean C. Coyle Jr., 46, of Johnstown received a sentence of 30 days to 23 months in the Somerset County Jail for driving under the influence of alcohol.

He will be paroled once he completes his minimum sentence.

Police said a drunken Coyle forced other vehicles off the road Sept. 7 in Paint Township. The driver narrowly missed striking mailboxes along state Route 160, according to a criminal complaint.

Coyle had a blood-alcohol level of 0.198 percent, according to police.

He must attend DUI school and a victim impact class, and his driver's license will be suspended for one year. Coyle must pay court costs, a supervisory fee, a $400 fine, $100 to the CAT fund and $10 to emergency services.

A judge ordered him to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation within 30 days of his parole.

Patricia Croyle, 29, of Summerhill was placed on two years of supervised probation for simple assault.

Police said Croyle pushed another woman against a car and punched her in the stomach and face, breaking her glasses. The incident happened Sept. 15 in Paint Borough.

A judge ordered Croyle to undergo a mental health evaluation within 30 days. He also recommended anger management classes.

Croyle must pay court costs, a supervisory fee, $70 to Windber Medical Center, $528.97 to a health care company and $259.95 to the victim. She may not have contact with the victim, according to the sentence.

Kevin L. Lytle, 22, of Confluence received a sentence of four months to two years in a state prison for receiving stolen property.

Police said Lytle stole a car April 22, 2001, along Highpoint Lake Road in Addison Township and drove it to the corner of Pumpkin Center Road and Mt. David Road where he abandoned it in a ditch. Police believe Lytle stole several other cars that day, according to court documents.